Tasleet takes Duke Of York

Tasleet relished the soft ground and fairly bolted up in the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes at York.

Trained by William Haggas, Tasleet won the rearranged Greenham Stakes at Chelmsford early last season but had just one subsequent run after suffering a setback.

The four-year-old made a pleasing return to action this term, finishing second behind the classy Home Of The Brave over seven furlongs.

However, dropped to six furlongs for the first time since his two-year-old days and in first time cheek pieces, he spreadeagled the field at 14-1.

Nameitwhatyoulike set a searching gallop in the conditions and one of the first beaten was the favourite Brando.

Suedois, last year’s winner Magical Memory and Comicas all held chances, but Jim Crowley’s mount shot clear to win by two and a half lengths.

Magical Memory made a pleasing return in second with Comicas third.

Crowley said: “I was impressed. That was the first time I’ve ridden him. “We weren’t really sure if he would go on the ground but he loved it.

“My only concern came when they couldn’t get out my way as I was struggling for a bit of room, (but) when I switched him, he took off.

“He was pretty good there and he has not had too many goes at six furlongs, but he clearly relishes it.”

Haggas said: “He is a very talented horse. I always thought he wanted fast ground but he seemed to revel in that. He has to run in stakes races now as we have got to make a man of him.

“He has been a relatively sound horse but he just had a real bad injury(last year) to a hind ankle which took a hell of a long time to clear up. I always fancied coming back to six furlongs. He ran over seven on his comeback in the spring when I wanted to run in the Abernant but he had a foot issue.

“This was always the next step and the next step is about another month away. I would think he is unlikely to run again and he will head to the Diamond Jubilee, I’ve got to try and make him a Group One winner.

“We could look to France, the Prix Maurice de Gheest over six-and-a-half-furlongs will be perfect.”

“To go there, we felt we had to run here. His work had been really good this spring, he’s got his enthusiasm back after a niggling problem last year.

“I’m delighted with that.”

Sam Hoskins, racing manager to Magical Memory’s owners Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, said: “After the first race we were contemplating whether to run or not, but Frankie (Dettori) came back and said the ground was not that bad.

“We listened to what Frankie and Charlie said and their advice was to run.

“Our fears were unfounded and he’s run a great race. He was the last off the bridle and Frankie didn’t give him a hard time.

“Royal Ascot is the dream and we’re going for it.”

reopens James Ferguson, assistant to Comicas’ trainer Charlie Appleby, said: “He ran really well. He had a nice winter in Dubai.”The ground was a bit of a question mark. James Doyle said he’d be better on better ground. We went forward because we know he stays seven furlongs.”Hopefully that will set him up for future options. On ground like this he can run over six and in better ground, we can run him over seven.”All options are open, but there are no plans at the minute.”